To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that private bus companies required to upgrade their fleets in order to meet stricter emissions standards in charging Clean Air Zones do not pass those costs onto customers through increased ticket prices.

£40 million was awarded in February 2018 through the Clean Bus Technology Fund, to support bus operators required to upgrade their fleets so that they do not pass these costs on to customers. The £220 million Clean Air Fund is also available for local authorities with NO2 exceedances, which can fund measures to support bus operators such as fleet upgrades. Bus operators and local authorities were also able to bid for the £48 million Ultra-Low Emission Bus Scheme, supporting the purchase of new ultra-low emission buses which will not be charged to enter Clean Air Zones. Winning bidders are due to be announced in January 2019.